ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Newly manufactured school buses ferrying children to and from Minnesota schools will soon be required to have a safety feature: crossing arms that protrude from the front bumper.

A crossing arm automatically expands when the bus stops and flashing red lights are activated.

The law goes into effect next week. But manufacturers have until January to get into compliance.

The Legislature approved the safety requirement during the 2012 session. It doesn’t apply to buses already in school district fleets.

The requirement is among a roster of new Minnesota laws taking hold next week.

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